One of Preston’s best-known veterinary practices is due to welcome the first patients to its new Fulwood surgery this month.
Oakhill Veterinary Centre will open the doors of its new purpose-built veterinary clinic on Monday 27 February, at the former doctor’s surgery in Lytham Road.
The building has been transformed into a vibrant, modern veterinary practice, with seven consulting rooms, two operating theatres, an isolation unit, separate cat and dog facilities and improved parking.
Oakhill Vets has been providing veterinary care for 17,000 pets across Preston and surrounding areas for nearly 50 years, after being established by Dr Barry Johnson in Bilsborrow in 1974.
Read more: Preston Western Distributor to be named after Edith Rigby
Two further small animal branches were opened on Conway Drive and Watling Street Road, Fulwood in 1975 and 1985 respectively, with a third branch opening in Kirkham in 2011.
In 1995 the farm, equine and original small animal branch moved from its initial home in Bilsborrow to the current site on Langley Lane, Goosnargh.
The new Lytham Road surgery will replace Oakhill Vet’s existing Conway Drive and Watling Street Road branches as its new Fulwood branch, providing much improved facilities for clients, pets and veterinary team members.
Oakhill’s Kirkham and Goosnargh branches will remain open, with Goosnargh continuing as the home of its equine and farm divisions.
Read more: Preston Docks pub set to close ahead of £130k refresh
The move will create new jobs, including a veterinary nursing assistant and an additional veterinary surgeon, with further recruitment to follow.
Judith Lee, Director, Oakhill Veterinary Centre said: “We are delighted with the new branch and are excited for our patients to benefit from improved facilities, additional services, and wide range of equipment.
“The opening of the new branch has generated a lot of interest among our clients and local community, who have closely followed the progress of the building work.
“We cannot wait to welcome everyone and provide an even better experience for clients, with improved parking and a reception area specially designed for a stress-free visit.
“As the new practice is purpose-built, it is much more accessible compared to our current sites, which we’d outgrown.
“As our team of vets, nurses and support staff have grown over the years it will provide them with a much more comfortable working environment.”
Read more: New vet school due to open at UCLan in 2024
Oakhill Vets will have seven vets, seven veterinary nurses and two veterinary care assistants working at the new Lytham Road branch, together with a reception and customer care team.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines